Former Law Society of Kenya President Faith Odhiambo has sharply criticised the Social Health Authority (SHA), accusing its AI-driven contribution model of unfairly burdening low-income earners while shielding wealthy Kenyans from paying their fair share.
In a statement posted on her X account on 9 May 2026, Odhiambo described the healthcare financing system as deeply flawed, arguing that it has transformed technology into a tool of economic injustice rather than social support.
“AI-driven Social Health Authority (SHA) was sold to us as a revolution in healthcare financing. However, the algorithm overcharges the poorest Kenyans while undercharging the wealthy,” she said.
To illustrate her concerns, Odhiambo pointed to what she termed a glaring case of inequality within the system.
“A single mother earning Ksh 3,500 a month is now billed Ksh 1,030 for health cover. That is digital poverty extraction,” she stated.
Odhiambo linked the debate around SHA to the broader social and economic burden carried by women, particularly mothers from poor and working-class backgrounds, saying they already shoulder enormous responsibilities that often go unnoticed and uncompensated.
“A mother struggling to put food on the table is reduced to an affordability score by an opaque algorithm that cannot measure exhaustion, caregiving, vulnerability or survival,” she said.
She faulted the government for pressing ahead with the rollout of SHA despite early warnings from experts and stakeholders who questioned the fairness and sustainability of its model.
“Many reports flagged this system as flawed and inequitable before it was even launched. The Government chose to proceed anyway,” Odhiambo noted.
Citing low contribution rates among registered members, she argued that the current model is locking millions out of healthcare access.
“Today, only 5 million of 22 million registered members pay regularly and Kenyans are dying because they cannot afford to walk into a facility,” she said.
Odhiambo maintained that technology in healthcare should be designed to uplift citizens rather than deepen social inequality.
“Technology should serve human dignity. This one entrenches inequality and calls it algorithmic neutrality. The poor are not data points. They are Kenyans who deserve better healthcare,” she added.
Her remarks are likely to intensify the national conversation around SHA, as concerns continue to mount over affordability, accessibility and whether the system is truly serving the healthcare needs of ordinary Kenyans.
